Fair Work inspectors focus on South-West

Fair Work inspectors will randomly audit up to 80 employers in Western Australia’s South-West Region to ensure they are paying staff correctly and keeping proper records.

The Fair Work Ombudsman will scrutinise 40 businesses in Bridgetown, Manjimup and Pemberton over the next two months and a further 40 in Busselton, Dunsborough and Margaret River in April and May.

Those employers selected for the campaign will receive correspondence requesting they supply time-and-wages sheets, payslips and other employment records.

Employers will be chosen at random across a variety of industries.

Fair Work Ombudsman WA Director Leigh Quealy says a team of Bunbury-based inspectors will check the records.

“Inspectors will be looking to ensure staff are receiving their full entitlements under the applicable pay scale and Award,” Mr Quealy said.

“In cases where records are not up to scratch or indicate workers are being underpaid, inspectors may launch a wider investigation.”

Mr Quealy says inspectors will provide businesses with assistance and information to help them voluntarily rectify any issues identified.

“In cases where an employer refuses to voluntarily rectify issues or where we suspect serious, deliberate breaches have occurred, we may choose to launch court proceedings,” he said.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of the Fair Work Ombudsman’s role and to educate employees and employers about their workplace rights and obligations.

Mr Quealy says the Fair Work Ombudsman can help workers and employers to understand recent changes to Australia’s workplace relations laws, including the minimum rates of pay which should be paid to employees.

Payslip and record-keeping templates and other tools are available by visiting www.fairwork.gov.au. Employers and employees seeking assistance can also contact the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94.

The Fair Work Ombudsman is committed to providing advice that you can rely on. The information contained on this website is general in nature. If you are unsure about how it applies to your situation you can call our Infoline on 13 13 94 or speak with a union, industry association or workplace relations professional. Visitors are warned that this site may inadvertently contain names or pictures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have recently died.